Operational Excellence Director

About the Role

Salute Hospitality delivers dining solutions for the military. American owned and mission ready, we support service members, families, and base communities each day, with wellness built into everything we do: menus designed for strength, energy, and endurance, from chefs who treat every meal as part of the job. The Director, Operational Excellence is a senior leadership role within Aramark’s Salute program – our military and defense food service brand operating across U.S. military installations nationwide.

Responsibilities

This position is responsible for driving continuous improvement, data-informed decision-making, and operational standardization across the Salute portfolio, ensuring the program operates at the highest levels of efficiency, compliance, and quality. The Director will lead both the development of lean, scalable operational systems and the data strategy that measures and accelerates their impact.

• Develop and execute strategies that improve operations while aligning with program goals, company standards, and contract requirements.
• Analyze workflows to identify inefficiencies and implement improvements using lean and data-driven methods.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives and create standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency and accuracy across locations.
• Partner with regional and field teams to improve processes and overall performance.
• Support change management efforts to successfully implement new tools, processes, and standards.
• Oversee project execution and ensure initiatives are completed on time with measurable results.
• Define and manage reporting strategies aligned with business goals.
• Build and enhance dashboards and reports that provide clear, real-time insights.
• Use data visualization and analytics tools (e.g., Power BI) to solve problems and drive improvements.
• Establish and track KPIs across operations, including food safety, labor, inventory, quality, and cost control.
• Develop automated dashboards and self-service reporting tools for leadership and field teams.
• Monitor trends, identify risks and opportunities, and drive timely corrective actions.
• Prepare Quarterly Business Reviews with key insights for leadership.
• Develop and maintain SOPs across all operational areas.
• Ensure compliance with food safety standards, federal contracts, and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct audits and operational reviews to ensure adherence and identify improvements.
• Lead improvements to operational systems and tools, including production, inventory, and reporting platforms.
• Translate business needs into system enhancements in partnership with IT and technology teams.
• Manage pilot programs and support successful rollout of new technologies.
• Improve labor models to balance staffing needs with cost efficiency.
• Optimize inventory practices to reduce waste and improve utilization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Data Science, Information Systems, Business, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in operational excellence, continuous improvement, business intelligence, or a closely related field, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Military experience required – active duty, reserve, or direct professional experience working with or within a military installation environment.
• Familiarity with the operational structure, compliance expectations, and tempo of a federal food service or contracting environment is essential.
• Demonstrated expertise in lean methodologies, Six Sigma principles, and change management strategies.
• Hands-on experience with data visualization and business intelligence tools, including Power BI or equivalent platforms.
• Strong project management skills with a proven track record of leading complex, cross-functional initiatives to measurable results.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and executive presentation skills.
• Ability to influence, collaborate, and motivate teams across a geographically dispersed, matrix organization.
• Willingness to travel up to 50% to military installations and Aramark operational sites nationwide.

Preferred Qualifications

• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification; Lean certification a plus.
• PMP or equivalent project management certification.
• Experience with Department of Defense (DoD) food service contracts or Government Food Service (GFS) programs.
• Familiarity with military dining operations, DFAC standards, or federal food service compliance requirements.
• Prior experience with Aramark, Sodexo, Compass, or a large managed services food service company.
• Experience with food production software, inventory management platforms, or enterprise operational systems in a food service environment.